Railway Science (Environment – Environmental Conservation)

Paper cups are biodegradable (that will decay after a period when buried under the soil and add nutrients to the soil). Advantages of paper cups - Eco friendly, wide variety available, Safe and hygienic, light in weight.

Reni in Garhwal. The Chipko movement was a non-violent agitation in 1973 that was aimed at the protection and conservation of trees. Originated in Uttar Pradesh’s Chamoli district (now Uttarakhand). Started by - Sunderlal Bahuguna. Slogan - Ecology is a permanent economy.

A.K. Banerjee (father of the concept of Joint Forest) involved the local people in the revival of 1,272 hectares of forest. Villagers were given employment in silviculture and harvest and were given 25% of the harvest.
Silviculture - The practice of managing and cultivating forests and tree populations for desired ecological, economic, and social outcomes.

Earth's Natural Resources - Air, minerals, plants, soil, water, and wildlife. Conservation of nature - Taking care of and protecting these resources. Earth's Water Resources: Saltwater – 97.25% Ice – 2.05%, Groundwater – 0.68%, Lakes – 0.01%, Rivers – 0.0001%, Soil - 0.005%, Atmosphere - 0.0019%. World Water Day - 22 March.

Sustainability is the practice of using natural resources responsibly, so they can support both present and future generations.

Sustainable Development - Development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Three core elements of sustainable development are economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. Sustainable Development Index (SDI) released by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

It is the single most significant action to help our environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and soil degradation. Reduction of meat consumption will also save an enormous amount of land and water and increase biodiversity.

Landfills have different kinds of dangerous stuff and chemical wastes. These can get into the groundwater and make rainwater in the pit unsafe to use. Rainwater harvesting: Simple process or technology used to conserve rainwater by collecting, storing and purifying rainwater through rooftops, parks, roads, open grounds.
Two methods of rainwater harvesting include: Rooftop rainwater harvesting - rooftop becomes the catchments, and the rainwater from the building and houses are collected.
Surface runoff harvesting – It collects rainwater, which flows away as surface runoff. The runoff rainwater is caught and used to recharge aquifers by adopting appropriate techniques.

The main aim of this Narmada Dam project was to supply water for irrigation to the farmers and to provide electricity to the people of three states. But the local people and environmentalists protested against this project.
The main concern of the people behind the protests was the large-scale displacement of local communities, the environmental issues like the submerging of trees under the dam water and the untimely extinction of the rarely found species. Medha Patkar and Baba Amte started this protest. It was started in 1985.

This was referred to as the Bishnoi movement. Bishnoi is a religious sect founded by Guru Maharaj Jambheshwar in 1485 AD in the Marwar (Jodhpur). To honour the sacrifice of the community, the Government of India instituted the “Amrita Devi Bishnoi, Wildlife Conservation Award” in 2000.